One more thing, you can saved USD35 because only MDZ-16-AB mibox3 has the free chromecast ultra built-in without purchasing separately .hope this help.

depend if you want to watch it in hd or sd video.
if into hd and without interruption, forget about media box.
I suggest getting-
-seedbox
-invites to private torrent-i.e hdchina,hd-torrents,azdrama-chinese drama(just to name a few)
-vpn(if required)

Suggest to use media only for live stream news or documentaries.

since you are into mibox-
1-MDZ-15-AA and MDZ-16AA-do not buy because only 1gb ram and 4bg storage

2-MDZ-16-AB-(International version) 2gb ram/8gb storage/chipset-Amlogic S905X-H Quad core/chromecast ultra built-in/google playstore

3-MDZ-18-AA-(Xiaomi TV 3 Enhanced)2gb ram/8gb storage/Chipset- MT8693 Hexa 6 Core/no google playstore

4-MDZ-19-AA-(Xiaomi TV 3S)2gb ram/8gb storage/chipset-Amlogic S905X-H Quad core/no google playstore

Item 3 and 4 are mainly for China only.of course there are already people selling here.I think the box is all in chinese.

Depending on your requirement and budget.I choose item 2 because it has chomecast built-in and to let it work with my google home.And also google
invested in MDZ-16AB.

a friend purchase and bring it back when he is in US.

Great.it is good of you to share with fellow communities.

testing SPMC 16.6.0 on mibox today.

a short story(hope my memory is correct).SPMC developed by a guy Chris Browet/koying,Kodi guy for Android in kodi team.some infighting,he left and start SPMC that actually for those with shield devices.
You might see some great improvements on some devices.So you need to test it by yourself.

Kodi actually almost given up devices working on android.Better on powerful device like PC.
so give it a try.no harm.

Using Private Internet Access with MDZ-16-AB.
Cheap and reliable.
get a 1 year subsription.
Forget PureVPN.

kodi 17.1 updated today better than 17.0

Using USB 3.0 Hub with 64USB Flash Drive and 120mm fan.
I think mibox do not have the power to support the fan.
Occasionally shutdown and wi-fi disconnect (daily stream 12 hours live tv)
So used 5V dc supply to parallel support the fan and usb hub.

picture is worth a thousand words

[attachmentid=8623349]

no it is not block.There is a front opening.I only us the remote once a while.I mostly used another cheap Rii Mini X1(touchup with keyboard)

thanks for the clarification.Frankly,initially i thought it is infra-red,that is why there is an opening on the rack.

I try to help here
My advise-is the same as always.
If you only watch HK drama and movies.
It is better to download and watch
real hd rather than a media box.(video source a real factors and broadband speed and stability-4mbps maybe a problem).

For long term-
1-build a low power/cheap pc
(Using a 6 years old-Intel BOXD510MO CPU combo-no longer available, but to gave you some idea)
(do not need a big drive in C-60g.And external drive-1 or 2 TB)
2-Get a good seedbox provider-200gb-RM25.00-30 p/month(depend on RM exchange rate)
3-Get a VPN Provider-RM11.00.(depend on RM exchange rate)
4-get a mid level UHDTV-since you are getting one.(6000 series is good enough)


with these you can watch your movies without interruption and in real HD.
this is my personal view-after so many years with media box.

you can use "Castaway"from the natko1412 repo

the average set-up cost in the earlier post.I am not sure there is a dedicated thread.
maybe there's local seller trying to sell their service.
Maybe someone can point us to that thread or a create new one.
since this is a mi box thread,we should not discuss further this issue here.

actually you do not need a android tv(smart tv).to save cost.
if you get a mi box3 international version with(chromecast ultra built-in) you can cast 1080p video
from android phones(heard also support iphone-I haven't try it on my iphone yet.
and voice command -Google Home-to cast video to your tv.

there are time when you record videos on your smart phone and want to view it on bigger screen.
I want sure you want to view on bigger screen and not the 5-6 inches screen right.And smart phone today
can record in 1080p.so why not?no wire.just on w-ifi.

Tv App Repo,previously downloaded from GitHub,now can be download from Google Playstore.
easily launch shortcut on homescreen for side loaded apps.enjoy

MDZ-16-AB+IOS10-Yes,can cast videos and photos from IOS devices.

End of March almost ending.
Xiaomi promised Android 7.0 update coming early first quarter 2017.
Hope Xiaomi keep its promised, not to go the same route as the Mi Pad.